On May 21, 2023, the crew of Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), to include Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ax-2 is the second private crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and the four-person multinational crew made history as the first Axiom Space mission with both private and government sponsored astronauts.
Below are a few key highlights about the Ax-2 mission and its crew:
1. Thousands of students around the world were inspired through STEAM outreach
The Ax-2 crew dedicated a lot of time aboard the space station engaging with students, educators, and the public about the importance of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM). The Ax-2 crew conducted a series of science demonstrations while working with students on Earth, engagements included communicator over amateur radio, a student art and poetry competition from space, educational activity kits, and student-led projects with universities like MIT. The Ax-2 crew also conducted events with students throughout Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom hosted events at educational centers across the nation.
Throughout the Ax-2 mission, the crew inspired thousands of students around the world to pursue opportunities and education in space-related fields.
2. Peggy Whitson broke her own record, adding to her legendary astronaut career
During Ax-2, Commander Peggy Whitson added two more accomplishments to her impressive career — she became the first female Commander of a private space mission, and she broke the record for the American with the most time in space, a record she set in 2017. The former two-time ISS commander has spent 675 cumulative days in space, also making her the woman with the most time spent in space.
3. First Saudi astronauts visit the ISS and first-ever Saudi female goes to space
Axiom Space partnered with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Space Commission, for an historic agreement to expand its national space program and develop the first Saudi national astronaut program. The Kingdom sent two mission specialists, Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, who made history as the first Saudi astronauts to visit the ISS. To add to this historic accomplishment, Rayyanah Barnawi became the first Saudi female to go to space. Saudi Arabia became the 21st country to send astronauts to the International Space Station.
4. STEAM advocate and first person from Alaska travels to space
During Ax-2, pilot and STEAM advocate John Shoffner became the first person from the U.S. state of Alaska to go to space. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in Southeast Kentucky, John has been a pilot since he was 17 — with more than 8,500 flight hours holding commercial, instrument, single- and multi-engine ratings in both land and sea aircraft and helicopters, along with ratings in ex-military jets and high-performance radial engine aircraft. The Ax-2 mission allowed John to achieve one of his greatest life’s goals and use the opportunity to ignite a passion for STEAM education in teachers and students worldwide.
5. Ax-2 crew tested treatments for human cancer in a space lab
The Ax-2 astronauts studied prospective therapies for colorectal and breast cancers by testing countermeasure drugs on the ISS. This effort contributes to the goal of creating models to predict and detect the development of cancer. Identifying early warning signs of cancer could lead to quicker intervention and potentially prevent the progress of the disease.
The Ax-2 astronauts also conducted more than 20 different experiments while aboard the space station. Data collected during the Ax-2 mission will impact understanding of human physiology on Earth and on-orbit, as well as establish the utility of novel technologies that could be used for future human spaceflight pursuits and improving life on Earth.
6. First time bioprinted solid tissue constructs sent to space station
The first bioprinted solid tissue constructs were sent to the ISS to explore ways to help reduce the number of people waiting for vital organs. Studying these larger tissue constructs will help inform researchers on how liver and kidney cells and blood vessel cells react in microgravity. This information could be used as a model for human disease and test potential new therapies for people on Earth, as well as develop potential countermeasures for astronauts who spend a significant amount of time in space.
7. Zero-g indicator inspired children to reach for the stars
Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop partnered to fly a furry fifth crew member alongside the Ax-2 astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took flight as the Ax-2 mission’s zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space’s next-generation spacesuit. As the fifth crew member of Ax-2, GiGi’s mission was to inspire children around the world to learn about space and consider careers in STEAM.
8. Pilot John Shoffner hosted an art and poetry contest that had 930 entries from 26 countries
During the Ax-2 mission, John Shoffner announced the final selections of his International Space Art and Poetry Contest. From 250 miles above Earth, Shoffner showcased a sample of the 930 entries from students in 26 countries who answered the question, “What would it look like if we lived in space?”
9. Technology demonstrations to test faster imagery downloads were conducted for future use on world’s first commercial space station
The Ax-2 crew successfully conducted two Axiom Space-led technology demonstrations on the space station, which were trailblazers for the next generation of video communication in space and imagery downlink to Earth. The crew explored the use of applications to find more flexible ways to connect with loved ones and mission support teams on the ground, and for use in media outreach events on-orbit. The Ax-2 astronauts also investigated the effectiveness of internet connected photography devices to provide insight on how the feasibility and efficiency of the tool can reduce crew time and ground time on image transferring. These applications were tested for future use on the world’s first commercial space station, Axiom Station.
10. Ax-2 crew flew 3,331,440 miles and completed 126 orbits around Earth
Nearly 10 days in space, the Ax-2 crew spent eight days aboard the ISS and completed more than 126 orbits and flew 3,331,440 miles!
Update: As of June 13th 2023, the Saudi Space Commission (SSC) is now known as the Saudi Space Agency (SSA)